The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with brands constantly vying for your attention. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo Y21 and the Oppo A16. Both offer affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A16 edges out the vivo Y21 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G35 vs Helio P35) which translates to marginally better performance. Both offer similar battery life and camera quality, making the Oppo A16 the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 20 | 2021, July 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 20 | Available. Released 2021, July 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Glow, Midnight Blue | Pearl Blue, Space Silver, Crystal Black |
| Models | V2111 | CPH2269 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | £ 88.50 / € 109.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y21
- Clean and intuitive software
- Reliable everyday performance
- Decent battery life
- Sleek design
- Less powerful chipset than Oppo A16
- Limited camera capabilities in low light
- Basic display
Oppo A16
- Slightly better performance than vivo Y21
- Good battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent display
- Performance still limited for demanding tasks
- Camera quality is average
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch IPS LCD display with a 720 x 1600 resolution. While the panels are similar in size and resolution, color accuracy and brightness may vary slightly. Expect decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use, but outdoor visibility might be challenging under direct sunlight. Neither phone boasts a high refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a triple rear camera setup, typically including a 13MP main sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality is generally acceptable in well-lit conditions, but expect noise and a lack of detail in low light. The front-facing cameras are likely around 8MP on both devices, offering decent selfies. Video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
The Oppo A16 holds a slight advantage here. Its Mediatek Helio G35 chipset, while still entry-level, offers a bit more graphical processing power than the vivo Y21's Helio P35. This means the Oppo A16 will handle basic apps and multitasking more smoothly, and potentially offer a slightly better experience with less demanding games. Both phones will struggle with graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y21 and Oppo A16 pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life for moderate users. Expect around 10-12 hours of screen-on time with typical usage. The vivo Y21 has 18W wired charging, while the Oppo A16 also supports 18W charging. Charging times will be comparable.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y21 is a good option for users prioritizing a clean software experience and reliable everyday performance. The Oppo A16 is ideal for those seeking a bit more processing power for light gaming and multitasking, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Oppo A16 has a slight edge due to its Helio G35 chipset, which offers better graphical processing capabilities compared to the vivo Y21's Helio P35.
❓ Are the cameras on these phones any good?
Both phones offer decent camera performance in well-lit conditions, but low-light photography is where they struggle. Don't expect flagship-level image quality.
